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“Tommy, are you okay?”
Tommy was breathing heavily as they went up the stairs to Wilbur’s flat. Earlier, Wilbur was running, excited to get to his flat and spend the day with his favorite person. He must have known something was wrong when Tommy wasn’t able to keep up.
But could you blame Tommy? He was doing his best, but every step felt like a mountain to him as a thick heaviness weighed down on him, fatigue as he made every effort to lift a leg even less than a foot up. His legs ached and burned and his head spun with the heat, as no air conditioner circulated the stairway.
“Yeah, mate,” he wheezed. “I’m fine.”
“No no no no Toms, you’re panting!” Wilbur rushed down the steps in-between them, immediately holding Tommy up to support him.
“Wil,” Tommy groaned, leaning onto the taller one anyway. “I really mean it. I’m fine.”
Wilbur didn’t listen. He instead lifted Tommy up, the boy yelping slightly in surprise. He then carried him up the stairs with ease.
“Wil! Put me down this instant!” Tommy hissed, punching the man in the chest. “I’m not a baby, I can walk!”
“Tommy, how many hours of sleep did you get last night?” Wilbur asked, looking into the boy’s eyes. “Your eyes aren’t as bright as usual.”
“Six and a half. Now put me down!”
Wilbur gasped. “Six and a half? Tommy, you need more sleep than that!”
“It’s fine, Wil. I’m sixteen years old.”
“How many days have you been sleeping this little?” Wilbur persisted.
Tommy yawned, leaning a head subconsciously on Wilbur’s collarbone.
“Mmm seven.. maybe eight days in a row?”
“Oh Toms…” Wilbur spoke with a pained tone. “Love, you need more sleep than that.”
“I don’t need sleep!“ Tommy argued boldly. “Sleep is for the weak! I’m a big man, Wilbur, I can do it!”
“Tommy, this is serious.”
“No it’s fine, really!”
“Toms-”
“Wilbur- really, I’m used to this. I always sleep this little. I-”
Suddenly Tommy was caught mid sentence as he was interrupted by a firm kiss pressed at his forehead. He melted immediately, whole body slumping as he relaxed. He felt Wilbur’s lips turn to a smile, knowing he had won. The kiss was almost like a sleep potion, Tommy falling unconscious right as the warm kiss left him.
Wilbur watched as Tommy naturally curled up into his arms, deep asleep at once. As the child’s chest rose and fell gently, Wilbur’s big brother instincts were nearly screaming, How can this child be so adorable? How do I deserve such a sweet little brother? Every heartbeat was filled with love and affection, it always had to spill over so much. He was just glad that Tommy enjoyed receiving when Wilbur enjoyed giving.
He finally reached his flat, making his best effort to unlock his door with Tommy still in his arms. Once he opened the door he went straight to the couch (the same couch he and Tommy dubbed “The Cuddle Couch™”). Wilbur’s brother instincts then screamed at him to find the softest blanket in his possession, making him run around and searching through closets and drawers. He finally found the perfect blanket, rushing back to Tommy and draping it over his sleeping form and walking away to leave him alone.
Tommy grumbled slightly, reaching out and making grabby hands in his sleep.
“Cuddleeee…” he mumbled unconsciously. “..want Wilby hugggsss…”
Wilbur rushed to the child, tripping over the carpet as his instincts carried his feet. His heart was nearly swelling with love, love, love. Wilbur was almost surprised he hadn’t had a heart attack yet. Once he got to the couch, Wilbur let those instincts take over, instincts that have always guided him in how to comfort the child in the best way possible. First he cradled the boy’s face, peppering him with little kisses and assurances that he was here, that Tommy was safe, that Tommy could sleep as long as he wanted and he wouldn’t be upset. Eyes still closed, Tommy reached out his hands and grabbed on Wilbur’s sweater, pulling him in under the covers with him.
Wilbur wrapped his arms around the child’s smaller body, the boy’s shorter arms wrapping around his in return. Next, Wilbur hummed softly to the child, Tommy giggling as he snuggled impossibly closer. Wilbur then let his fingers take over in running through the boy’s curls, purrs rumbling in Tommy’s throat in response. Once Wilbur heard the purrs he was content. He had made this boy 100% and completely happy. Wilbur let himself fall asleep, the low rumbling of the purrs relaxing him knowing he had done a good job as a brother.
—----
Tommy woke up in the morning feeling light kisses on his forehead. He fluttered his eyes open, seeing Wilbur smiling, eyes crinkling in joy. Wilbur pressed another kiss to his forehead, this time lingering. After he pulled away he cupped Tommy’s face with one hand, stroking his cheekbone with his thumb. Tommy melted into the touch, closing his eyes and chuckling at himself.
“You’re gonna make me fall asleep again, Wilby,” he murmured.
“Good. You need it.”
Tommy whined. “But what about us hanging out?”
“Aren’t we hanging out now?” Wilbur laughed softly, tickling the boy’s chin as Tommy giggled lightly. “This is honestly my favorite way to hang out with you, Toms.”
“Stop it, that’s too sappy, Wil.” Tommy’s cheeks flushed. “You’re so sappy. I hate you.”
Wilbur chuckled, pressing their foreheads together. “Well, that and arguing with you. You know, you’ve almost convinced me to like anteaters.”
Tommy gasped. “Not the anteaters!” he laughed. “Wilbur, you’ve gotta stick to your brand!”
“Okay.” Wilbur smiled. “As long as you let me keep on breaking your brand by being soft.”
“What the fly is that supposed to mean?” Tommy hissed playfully.
“Stop, Toms. I don’t want to hear you swearing while we’re cuddling.”
“Well you chose to cuddle the one and only TommyInnit, the literal flying king of swearing. Why do you even choose me anyway? There are so many other nicer people you could hug.”
Wilbur flinched slightly. A pause in the atmosphere after that joke.
“...Wilby?” Tommy’s voice squeaked, small and insecure.
Wilbur heard that voice and quickly pulled Tommy closer, burying his face into his bouncing blond curls and kissing it a hundred times more.
“Because, Tommy. I love you.”
Then, literal tears fell from Tommy’s face, wetting Wilbur’s sweater as the boy burrowed his face into the crook of his neck. Tommy took deep, shaky breaths, like he couldn’t handle the whole concept of being loved this much.
“I- I love you too, Wilbur. I love you so flying much.”